MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Showing posts with label #Hume' s Warbler. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Birding in November: Post-Diwali Departure

Birding in November: Post-Diwali Delights

The second week of November brought a delightful variety of migratory birds to Mount Abu, despite the town still buzzing with Diwali holiday crowds. While the popular tourist spots remained lively, the hillside offered some rewarding birding moments for those willing to brave the rush.

Among the notable sightings this week were the Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Drongos, and a charming array of warblers, pipits, and wagtails. These avian visitors added vibrant life to the cooling landscape, offering glimpses of the winter spectacle unfolding.

For birders planning a visit to Mount Abu this winter, be prepared for frosty mornings and biting cold. The temperature has been dropping, inching closer to the zero-degree mark—a hallmark of Abu’s winter charm.

As the week progressed, the festive crowds thinned out, making way for quieter trails and less congested viewpoints. However, weekends remain busy, as the hill station continues to draw its share of visitors escaping the plains.

By the end of the second week, migratory ducks became more apparent, though their numbers are still growing. It’s always a joy to witness these seasonal visitors gracing our waters, a testament to nature’s rhythms in the face of changing climates.

I’ve curated select bird photographs captured during this period to showcase the beauty of November birding in Mount Abu. Stay tuned as we delve into the birding highlights of the third week of November!

Bird of the week

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus

Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Eurasian Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides

Hume's Warbler - Phylloscopus humei

Indian Pond-Heron - Ardeola grayii

Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rufous Treepie - Dendrocitta vagabunda

Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

Monday, October 14, 2024

Birding in October: A Mixed Bag of Clouds and Migrants Mount Abu.

Birding in October: Migration, birds of prey, and cloudy skies.

The second week of October this year has been a bit of a letdown for me, with cloudy skies dominating most days. Despite the gloomy weather, the hills of Mount Abu are abuzz with activity, as the much-anticipated winter migrants have arrived. Among the new arrivals, the pipits, Tree Pipits, have turned up in record numbers this season, making it one of the most remarkable migrations I’ve witnessed in Abu. The winter stay has begun for warblers, wagtails, swallows, and martins as they settle in.

Raptors, too, have graced our skies, with sightings of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Bonelli’s Eagle, and several buzzards adding to the excitement.

I’ve selected a small collection of bird photographs captured in the second week of October. Despite a few shots not meeting the expected standards, it is important to note that it is not because of a lack of effort, but because of the challenging weather. I hope that despite this, you still find joy in this visual journey. It has been an exciting journey capturing these moments, and I hope they bring you as much joy as they brought me.

By December, the crescendo of migratory activity will reach its peak, with even more species expected to arrive. However, this natural spectacle will coincide with the influx of tourists as Diwali approaches in just 15 days. If you’re planning a birding trip to Abu during this time, I advise securing your accommodations early. The mad rush of visitors will make it impossible to enjoy a peaceful retreat amidst the hills, with the next fortnight sure to be choc-a-bloc with tourists.

Enjoy the beauty and sounds of birding in October, and maybe think about planning your next visit before the rush of the holidays!

Bird of the week.